‘With all due respect, his background is relevant,’ said Cornwell, ‘because Kevin isn’t necessarily the product we would expect from such a situation. Yes, his neglect and abuse have contributed to his liking of violence, but he is actually an incredibly intelligent boy One normally associates his type of childhood with low intellect and ability, but the opposite is true with Kevin Milne. I have never met such a clever child–and he far exceeds what many, in fact what most, adults are intellectually capable of.’

‘So,’ asked Limington, smiling despite himself, ‘in your professional opinion, is Kevin Milne capable of rationally deciding to murder another human being?’

Gerry Cornwell didn’t have to pause.

‘Without a shadow of a doubt–yes.’

Chapter Thirty-Four

‘Is there any evidence you can bring to the case to support your answer, Dr Cornwell?’ asked Hunter.

‘Yes,’ said Gerry, as the other man looked at him blankly Dr Gerry Cornwell widened his eyes, staring at the production table then back at Limington. Cornwell repeated this process three or four times until the QC remembered. ‘Ah, yes, quite,’ said the prosecutor, taking the hint about what was to be displayed next.

‘Prosecution production number three-four-three,’ he said, turning to the court usher. ‘Could you show it to the witness, please?’ The old usher limped to the table and lifted up a plastic evidence bag with a white label on it. He carried it across to the witness box and handed it to Gerry Cornwell. He then picked up a pile of copies and handed them out to the jurors.

‘Can I take it out?’ asked Gerry. Limington nodded, and the psychiatrist fumbled with the plastic bag. It was a plain, sky-blue, school notebook. The notebook was anally neat, the type of book that belongs to the class swot; every letter was drawn using a newly sharpened pencil. There was no graffiti on the front of the book. The drawings in the book were excellent, indicating that the owner of the book had a talent, a rare talent beyond a schoolchild’s years.

‘How did you hear about the existence of this notebook?’ Limington asked.

Dr Gerry Cornwell placed the book face down on the witness box–it always made him feel sick. ‘I have been seeing Child X and Child Y at least once a week since their arrest. Whilst Child Y–’ he nodded at Renee–‘has shown remorse during our sessions, Child X has never admitted the murder or expressed any sorrow or regret over his actions. In all my time as a clinical psychiatrist, I have never met a more cold and calculating personality.’ Dr Cornwell swallowed and tried to moisten his dry mouth. ‘In an attempt to make progress, I asked for permission to hypnotize him.’

Limington let the word ‘hypnotize’ sink in. ‘Is this a perfectly acceptable practice in a court of law?’ he asked, knowing the answer.